Press Room
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents their 95th season led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Verdi’s Requiem on May 9 & 10, 2025 led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh. The concerts will feature the MSO Chorus, directed by Daniel R. Afonso Jr., and will also feature guest soloists: soprano Alexandra Loutsion, mezzo-soprano Alice Chung, tenor Ben Gulley, and bass DeAndre Simmons.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and Music Director Nicholas Hersh welcome five new members to the Orchestra’s roster, including the appointment of Kathleen Balfe as the orchestra’s new principal cellist and Samuel Wamhoff as principal trombone.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents Carnival of the Animals on April 11 & 12, 2025, led by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser. Daniel is stepping in to lead the MSO as Music Director Nicholas Hersh and his wife are expecting their first child in early April.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO), led by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray will perform Aretha: A Tribute on Friday, March 14th at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto. Broadway star, Capathia Jenkins, will be joined by Ryan Shaw as they bring the best of the Queen of Soul plus hits by Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, James Brown, and more!
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) presents highlights from two of Disney’s most extraordinary and groundbreaking animated features, Fantasia and its sequel Fantasia 2000 in concert live to film on February 7 and 8, 2025 at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, scenes from each of the two iconic films will be projected in high definition on a large screen above the orchestra as they perform classical selections including Beethoven’s “The Pastoral Symphony,” Debussy’s “Clair de Lune,” Ponchielli’s “Dance of the Hours,” Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance,” Respighi’s “Pines of Rome,” and Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” and more.
MODESTO, CA - The Modesto Symphony Orchestra’s (MSO) holiday concerts offer fun for the entire family. Complete with holiday décor and your favorite carols, the MSO’s holiday concerts have become community favorites. The first of the MSO’s two holiday concerts is Holiday Pops! on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Ryan Murray, this lively and festive concert features Broadway star Nikki Renée Daniels and the MSO Chorus. The Holiday Candlelight Concert is a more intimate concert and is returning to St. Stanislaus Catholic Church on December 17, 2024 at 8 pm. Led by MSO Chorus Director, Daniel R. Afonso Jr., this traditional holiday concert that will also feature the MSO Chorus and the Opus Handbell Ensemble.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly presents The Four Seasons Mixtape led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh this November 1 & 2, 2024 at 7:30 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The evening’s program features music by Mendelssohn, Mexican-composer Gabriela Ortiz, and Hersh’s own “mixtape” interpretation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons featuring the works by Vivaldi, Richter, Ysaÿe, and Piazzolla featuring violinist, Audrey Wright.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO) welcome Elisha Wells as the MSYO’s new Music Director. Wells will continue to serve as the MSYO’s Symphony Conductor.
MODESTO, CA – The Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly presents Branford Marsalis with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra led by Music Director Nicholas Hersh this October 5, 2024 at 7:00 pm at the Gallo Center for the Arts. The MSO kicks off their 94th season with acclaimed saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The evening’s program includes Marsalis performing Milhaud’s Scaramouche and John Williams’ Escapades from Catch Me If You Can. The program also features Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor and concludes with Rachmaninoff’s Symphonic Dances.